East Bay Meditation Center

ONLINE: Multiracial Peer-Led Deep Refuge Group
2018-08-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | East Bay Meditation Center, 285 17th Street, Oakland, CA, 94612, United States
The Multiracial Deep Refuge Group is a monthly exploratory Deep Refuge Group for and by people who identify as multiracial. Our meetings include periods of mindfulness meditation and sharing of narratives and perspectives as we come together to be seen and to see one another. By sitting and exploring our own unique stories, we can come to know and care for the common threads that bind us together. Our collective work bravely expands the narrative that informs multiracial experience today. Meets 7pm-9pm on the second Saturdays of every month. Online and occasionally hybrid (in-person at EBMC + online).
Newcomers welcome- please contact us before your first visit: mrdrcoordinators at googlegroups dot com

Beginning Your Meditation Practice: Exploring Diverse Meditation Modalities
2018-08-12 10:00 - 16:30
Beginning Your Meditation Practice:
Exploring Diverse Meditation Modalities
Open to All
with Arisika Razak
Today I wake up empty and frightened. Don’t go to the study and read a book. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground . . . a thousand ways to go home again. – Rumi
The Buddha taught that meditation could be done sitting, standing or lying down; it could take place in monasteries, community sanghas, natural settings, or the home. Meditation may include walking, movement, visualizations, or chanting. Join us as we explore diverse meditative processes to help identify what most truly resonates in our hearts and minds, including guidelines for beginning and maintaining our practice.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Every Body Every Mind Sangha
2018-08-12 18:00 - 19:30, 2018-08-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2018-08-26 18:00 - 19:30, 2018-09-02 18:00 - 19:30
Every Body Every Mind Sangha is a weekly practice group for people living with disabilities, limitations, differences and chronic illnesses.
Sundays
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Please come and take part in this time to meditate, share our lives and support with each other, and learn more about the dharma. There is no need to register for these weekly meetings, just come and share this path together!
Teachers include Charlie Johnson, Deb Kerr and others.
For more info, visit the Every Body Every Mind Sangha Website.

Alphabet Sangha
2018-08-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-08-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-08-28 19:00 - 20:30, 2018-09-04 19:00 - 20:30
A meditation group for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Same-Gender Loving, and Two-Spirit communities. Because that’s such a mouthful, we call ourselves the Alphabet Sangha.
Tuesdays
7:00 – 8:30 pm
For more information, visit the ALPHABET SANGHA WEBSITE

Midday Sangha
2018-08-15 12:00 - 13:35, 2018-08-22 12:00 - 13:35, 2018-08-29 12:00 - 13:35
Midday Sangha at EBMC Wednesdays at Noon!
Join our peer-led multicultural sangha for silent meditation practice and community building.
Every Wednesday
12:00 – 12:45 Silent sitting, standing or lying down meditation with optional walking meditation.
12:45 – 1:35 Potluck lunch with facilitated conversation about our practice and being the dharma in the world
Midday Sangha Coordinating Committee:
Abe Doherty, Jenn Biehn, Kam McCallum, Karen Jackson, Manuel Vasquez, Preston Justice, Shawki, Yvette Flores

People of Color Yoga
2018-08-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2018-08-23 18:00 - 19:00, 2018-08-30 18:00 - 19:00
Weekly Yoga Practice for Self Identified People of Color led by Satya de la Paz
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Build strength and flexibility while cultivating mindfulness in this all levels hatha yoga class. Each class has a unique, inspiring theme and personalized instruction that will leave you feeling joyous and rejuvenated.
No registration required. No mat or special clothes required.

People of Color Sangha
2018-08-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-08-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-08-30 19:00 - 21:00
The People of Color Sangha is a growing tribe of people of color waking up and getting free!
Thursdays
7:00 – 9:00 PM
For more information, visit the: POC SANGHA WEBSITE

Dharma In Motion with Master John Ellis
2018-08-17 18:00 - 18:45, 2018-08-24 18:00 - 18:45, 2018-08-31 18:00 - 18:45
Master Ellis will lead the Dharma in Motion class series on each Friday in August and will focus on Five Realms Meditative Movement. Five Realms will help us explore how to create and maintain greater mindfulness and spiritual balance throughout the day. Movements are taught standing, sitting, and reclining, and are appropriate for people of diverse abilities. Participants who attend at least four sessions in August will receive a certificate. Master Ellis has more than 30 years of meditation practice in Christian, Zen, Vipassana, and New Though traditions; and has written about martial arts, spirituality and alternative health for major media. Master Ellis currently leads Ananda Martial Arts & Fitness Academy in Oakland.

Ignite the Fire Within: For Self Identified People of Color
2018-08-18 10:00 - 13:00
Led by Carol Cano
“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt
The Shadow of your false self is purified through the practice of coming home to the truth of who you are and begin to develop and strengthen your authentic self. The teaching of the Buddha and indigenous wisdom builds a foundation of truth, trust and love.
This series will explore teachings to help you create your life purpose and embrace the “the good, true and beautiful.” The season of summer reunite us with the fire within.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

“May I Be a Protector”: Path of the Bodhisattva Follow-up Daylong
2018-08-19 10:00 - 16:30
Open to everyone who took an EBMC Path of the Bodhisattva class in fall 2017
with Mushim Ikeda
“May I be a protector to those without protection.” – Shantideva, in Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva. Refresh your bodhichitta (Bodhisattva energy) and joyfully strengthen your Path. If you took any of the Path of the Bodhisattva classes with Mushim, October thru December 2017, you’re invited to this daylong of meditation, Dharma talks and Dharma dialogue, Q&A and community building and a potluck lunch.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Dharma in Motion: Access Stillness in the Midst of Activity
2018-08-21 18:00 - 18:50
Access Stillness in the Midst of Activity
Tai Chi Chih – Joy through Movement® with Paul Ciske
Tuesdays 6:00 – 6:50 pm July 3 – September 25, 2018
T’ai Chi Chih® is a moving meditation
For the past 25 years, Paul Ciske has taught and practiced Tai Chi Chih (TCC) – Joy through Movement. His profession revolves around the body as a neurologic body worker, movement trainer and coach, and Conscious Embodiment facilitator. Paul was the original host of Larry Yang’s LGBTQ East Bay sitting group before EBMC existed and is a long-time member of Alphabet Sangha.
Dharma in Motion is a weekly offering of access-centered movement practices for all ages and abilities. Teachers and modalities will rotate every 5-6 weeks. Drop in format, no experience necessary. Please wear clothing that allows for gentle movement.

Silence Emboldens: A Weekend Meditation Retreat to Reconnect and Rejuvenate Your Practice
2018-08-25 10:00 - 17:00, 2018-08-26 10:00 - 17:00
Open to all
with JD Doyle and Jonathan Relucio
This two-day retreat is dedicated to deepening your meditation practice through cultivation of mindfulness and loving awareness. Reconnect and rejuvenate with two days of noble silence retreat (held in) to support the practice of going inward and focusing the mind/heart on the present moment. We will devote time to mindful movement to support the release of accumulated stress and tension in order to identify and release body-held stressors through practices of trauma-informed and access-centered body kindness.
Join a nurturing community to boost your mindfulness practice and cultivate loving awareness for yourself and for all beings. This retreat is suitable for new and experienced practitioners.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.

Compassionate Dharma Deep Refuge: 8 Step Recovery Buddhist Meeting
2018-08-25 13:00 - 15:00
The last Saturday of every month at EBMC, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Beginning Saturday, February 24th, 2018, and continuing on the last Saturday of every month, EBMC offers a Recovery, Deep Refuge Buddhist meeting with a focus on ways to heal addiction. Based on the Eight Steps to Recovery developed by Dr. Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) and Dr Groves, we believe this inclusive approach can build a solid foundation for those at any level of recovery and for those who have yet to seek help.
Through these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery.

We ask that you attend sober on the day with respect for others that may be active in recovery. Open to all in Recovery.

Advance Registration is not required.
For additional information, please contact:
Shahara Godfrey slgvibing@earthlink.net

ONLINE: Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
2018-08-27 18:30 - 20:00
Trans/Gender-Expansive Deep Refuge Group
Fourth Mondays (online over zoom)
6:30-8pm PM PST
This deep refuge group is by and for trans/gender-expansive people. Our goal is to provide a welcoming community space for trans/gender-expansive folks who are interested in exploring meditation and other aspects of Buddhist practice. Both beginners and experienced practitioners welcome!
To be added to the email list, please email tgedeeprefuge@eastbaymeditation.org with a quick note about your interest in the group. We look forward to practicing with you!

Meditation & Movement: Creating Space in Your Body & Your Life
2018-09-01 10:00 - 16:00
with Mushim Ikeda and Master John Ellis
This class will use meditation and movement to explore how to create and maintain greater mindfulness and spiritual balance throughout the day. Simple meditation techniques are taught for a range of practitioners, especially beginners. Movements are taught both standing, sitting, and reclining, and are appropriate for people of diverse abilities.
Registration: Registration is required and space is limited. Click HERE to register.
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will not receive any part of this online donation).
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher.
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.
